Hand truck



G. SLINGSBY HAND TRUCK Oct. 17, 1944.

Filed March 29, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Guy Sfingsby WWW? HAND TRUCK FiledMarch 29, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FjlglZ.

v \nvenTor. v Guy Shngsby byWiW ATTys.

0t.17,1944. QG.ISLIINGSBY 2,360,799

HAND TRUCK Filed March 29, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 F1 Qiglfi FiglS.

Fig.17.

F1 .20. FiglQ. g

\nvenfor. Guy Slingsby Afiys.

Patented Oct. 17, 1944 HAND TRUCK Guy Slingsby, E-nfield, EnglandApplication March 29, 1943, Serial No. 480,909

In Great Britain April 9, 1942 10 Claims.

This invention relates to hand trucks, and aims to facilitate thehandling and transport of goods, more especially of small articles orparts'in' trays, pans or bins (hereinafter termed trays), in factoriesor the like places where the floor or ground is fairly smooth and level.

In some factories producing or handling small parts, these may be'placedin trays, say for example about 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 8inches deep, having a handle at each end. Such trays may be formed ofmetal stampings, and the bottom edges or corners may be bevelled orrounded off, especially at the ends. When filled with parts, such a trayis often too heavy for convenient handling and transport by personalcarrying, especially by girls, as it may weigh say 100 lb. to 200 lb. ormore according to the nature of the tray and its contents. The inventionaims to providea hand truck especially suitable for, though notnecessarily confined to, "the handling of such loads.

One of the broader objects'of the invention, is to furnish a hand truckhaving a tow-bar. or steering arm pivoted to the frame and adapted toact as a lever .to move a load from the floor onto the top of the truck.

A further object is to so constructor arrange the truck that one and thesame element, preferably pivoted on the truck frame about a horizontalaxis, serves as a combined tow-bar and steering arm, and also as a leverfor moving the load from the floor onto the truck by a drawing orpulling action, for keeping it in position during transport, .andfinally for pushing it off the truck again.

Another object is .to provide a truck which is simple and rugged inconstruction, and having simple and durable moving parts most of whichare preferably replaceable or renewable.

Preferred features contributing to the above or other objects include apair of main supporting wheels disposed approximately midway between thetruck ends and auxiliary supporting wheels adjacent each end of thetruck, the-main wheels being larger or otherwise arranged to projectnormally a greater distance below the frame .of thetruck than do the.auxiliary ones at at least one end; thus the truck can be supportedsolely by the main wheels forsteering purposes :by appropriatemanipulation of the tow-bar, but. the ends of the frame are preventednormally from contact with the floor by the auxiliary wheels.

According to a further feature the effective top of the truck, ontowhich a normal .load in the form of a filled tray is drawn, is formed:by antifriction means. Such means may be constituted by a plurality ofrollers mounted transversely in the frame, or by upstanding longitudinalrunners or ribs.

Still further features, contributing to ease in raising the load fromthe floor onto the truck top, consists in sloping the rear end of thetruck frame, keeping the top of the frame reasonably close to the floor,and arranging for the lever, when its handle is moved rearwardly, totilt the rear end .of the truckdown substantially into contact with thefloor; e. g. by extending the lever, which is preferably cranked or bentnear its lower end, beyond its horizontal pivot, and mounting the frontauxiliary wheel or wheels at said lower end.

Another object of the invention is to provide appropriate load engagingmeans associated with the tow-bar lever, and to provide (if necessary,to get the load into a position. in which is obtained a desiredapproximate balance of the truck and load about the axis of its mainsupporting wheels), for adjustment of the effective distance between theload-engaging and leverengaging parts of said means. In some cases, e.g. for a long tray, it may be desirable in order to get the tray farenough onto the truck with a convenient arc of movement .of the leverhandle, to arrange for multiple. hauls, i. e. to adjust the saiddistance during the operation of drawing on the load.

Features achieving these objects include a load-engaging link pivoted tothe lever between its handle and its pivotalattachment to the truck,said link being formed or provided at one .end with hook-like means forengaging a loadtray handle, preferably extending beyond the pivot 'toform a link handle, and. also being formed with a plurality of orifices,engagement in one or other of which of a part connected to the leverprovides for adjustment of the effective length of the link.

According to a further .featu're, provision may 'be made for the leverto accommodate different forms of link, for ready .or even automaticadjustment of the effective length of a link, and for fitting differentty es of hook-line means for engaging the varying types of handles ofvarious load trays at present in use in factories.

According to further features the hook-like means at the end of the linkmay be a simple part-circular hook and open at its lower part; er it maybe a pant bent upwardly or downwardly substantially at right angles orrather .55 more which. may be arranged toco-operate with a bolt likemember slidable on the link. Where the tray has a curled over partforming a closed circular or oval tubular handle, a further featurefurnishes a two part member, each part formed with a hook and means forforcing said hook parts together to engage in the ends of the tubularhandle.

With the above and further objects or features which may hereinafterappear or be obvious to those versed in the art in view, the inventionis more particularly described with reference to the accompanyingillustrative drawings, which are more or less diagrammatic.

In the drawings:

Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show perspective side views of one embodiment of theinvention, in different operative positions of the combined tow-bar,steering arm and operating lever, corresponding with the positions ofthe load-tray also shown;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation to a larger scale of a similar truck withload-tray in transport position, and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the truck shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view of a modified form of truck withlarger wheels for use on rougher floors or ground.

Fig. '7 is a partial perspective view of another modified form.

Fig. 8 is an end view of part of the lever, showing means permitting theeffective length of the load engaging link to be adjusted readily.

Fig. 9 is an explanatory perspective view to a larger scale of part ofthe link shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative form of link adapted formore or less automatic adjustment of its effective length duringoperation of the lever;

Fig. 11 is an explanatory side view of parts of the lever, showing afixed cross-piece and a pivotally mounted weight-loaded pawl engaging alink of the type shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is an end view looking in the direction of the arrow XII in Fig.11 but with the link removed.

Figs. 13 and 14 are respectively side elevation and plan views to alarger scale of the form of link shown in Fig. 10, showing one method ofdetachably afiixing different forms of hook.

Figs. 15 to 18 show various forms of hook adapted for detachable fixtureto a link as shown in Fig. 10, and intended to engage different forms oftray handle.

Figs. 19 to 21 show various forms of tray handle.

Fig. 22 shows another type of tray handle, and

Fig. 23 illustrates a form of link or hook arm to engage therewith.

Fig. 24 is a detail plan view of the actual link,

i. e. the lever engaging and tray handle engaging parts shown in Fig.23.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, the truckframe shown comprises a pair of longitudinal side members I, the rearupper surfaces of which preferably slope upward as shown at S, threetransverse rollers 2, and a transverse upward sloping plate 3 secured tothe side members I at the rear end of the truck. Additional transversebracing elements may be added, if and where requisite.

On the side frame members I and intermediate their ends, a pair of mainsupporting wheels 4 are mounted, preferably within the frame upon rollerbearings on an axle 5. A pair of auxiliary supporting wheels 6,preferably of smaller diameter, may be similarly mounted adjacent therear ends of the members I on an axle I. Guard members 8 mounted onmembers I preferably protect the ends of the axles 5 and I.

A combined tow-bar, steering-arm and operating lever, indicatedgenerally by the reference 9, is pivotally mounted adjacent the frontend of the truck by means of a pivot pin or bar In engaging the frameside members I. The extent of the rearward and forward movement of thelever 9 is limited by appropriate abutment means, such as stops II fixedto or forming part of the lever 9 engaging the top surfaces of themembers I.

The lever 9 preferably comprises, as shown, two parts I2 and I3 (seeFig. 5) which may be parallel and spaced apart a convenient distance (e.g. 1 inch) at the upper end of the lever, and forked outwards at thelower endto lie adjacent the side members I. An operating handle I4 ispreferably mounted at the upper end of the lever 9, which latter is alsopreferably conveniently cranked or bent adjacent each end (as best seenin Fig. 4). The two parts I2 and I3 of lever 9 may be braced together bybolts I5 and I6 with spacing pieces as H (Fig. 5) mounted thereon,whilst at the lower end a cylindrical spacing piece I8 may be mounted onthe pivot pin III (Figs. 4 and 5). As may be seen the lower ends of theparts I2 and I3 of the lever 9 extend beyondthe pivot I0 and carry asecond pair of auxiliary wheels IS on an axle 29. So that these wheelsI9 may normally project in running position a small distance below theframe, they are preferably smaller than Wheels 4 and the lower edges ofside members I may be recessed at 2| (best seen in Fig. 1) toaccommodate at least part of the axle 20 if it projects beyond parts I2and I3. The wheel arrangement is such that the truck with load can besupported on the main wheels 4 whilst both pairs of auxiliary wheels 6and I9 are out of contact with the ground.

The lever 9 is furnished with means for operatively engaging the load,and such means may comprise, as shown, a link or hook-arm 22 pivotallyconnected with the lever 9 nearer the pivotal connection with the frameI than the handle I4, for example by a pivot pin or bolt 23. Packingpieces I2 and I3, preferably welded to parts I2 and I3 respectively,prevent undesired side play on pivot 23. One end of the link 22 isformed or provided with hook-like means 24, whilst the other preferablyextends beyond the pivotal connection with the lever and is furnishedwith a handle part 25. Preferably, so that the load can be moved ordrawn by the lever 9 into such a position that the truck substantiallybalances about the axis of the main wheels 4, the effective length ofthe link is adjustable. For example, in Fig. 4 the pivot pin 23 can bepassed through any of three or more holes 26 in the link, thus providingan initial adjustment according to the dimensions of the load-tray 2?. Apreferred form of load-tray 21 is shown in Figs. 1 to 4 and is ofstandard form except that at least one of the handles'28 at the end ispierced at 2!! (Figs. 1 and 19) to receive the hook 24. The engagementof hook 24 and handle 28 and the general construction is such thatoperation of the lever 9 can pull or raise the load from the floor ontoantifrictio-n means such as the rollers 2 forming the effective top ofthe truck, maintain it in desired position during transport, and finallypush the loads onto the floor again. The lower edges of tray- 21 areusually rounded, especially at the ends, as best seen in Fig. 4.

Fig. 1 also shows, detached, plates 30 tobe fitted between or on theside member I, between and preferably below the upper surfaces of therollers 2-; these form a secondary truck top on which loads other thanones contained in or formed by a tray 21 can be carried.

Operation.Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 to 3, the method ofoperation is substantially as follows: the truck is wheeled by thehandle 9 up to one end of a load-containing tray 21, and the lever 9 ismoved rearwardly by the handle I4 into approximately its most rearwardposition (Fig. 1), the operator grasps the handle part. 25 of link 22and engages the hook end 24 with one handle 28 of the tray. Rearwardmovement of the lever 9 depresses the wheels I9, raising the front. orlever end of the truck frame, and depressing the rear end thereofsubstantially into contact with the ground. Pulling the handle I4 oflever 9 forwardly raises or pulls the load-tray up the sloping rear endof the truck onto the rollersZ forming the truck top (Fig. 2) and theoperator may conveniently place. a foot against the pivot bar II) (or aspacing piece I8 fitted thereon) to get a purchase and prevent the truckrunning forward. The movement of the lever 9 into its forwardposition-preferably sufiices to pull a standard tray onto the truck topinto a position wherethe truck and load are substantially balancedaboutthe axis of the main supporting wheels which are preferably mountedsomewhat to the rearof the centre of the truck; this is assumed tooccurin Figs. 3 and 4. Appropriate manipulation of the truck by means of thehandle I4 of the combined tow-bar, steering-arm and operating-lever 9,then permitsthe truck and load to betransported and steered.

If the load tray be a long one and cannot therefore be pulled far enoughonto the truck to be supported properly and to balance the trucksubstantially on the main supporting wheels. 4, use is madev of a linkadjustment hereinbefore mentioned, examples of which are illustrated inFi s. sand 9., and in Figs. 10 to 12. If necessary, durme linkadjustment to. get; a multiple pull or push with the lever 9;. one handof theoperatormay hold the handle I4 thereof, and the other hand operatethe linkby its handle, I

I may be appre ate hat n the fo m ow in Figs. 1 to the wheels 4, 6, andI9, are all arranged within the truck frame, and are of such diameterthat whilst they project adequate distances below the frame to keep itclear of he. floor in runni position, t y do not rea the effective topof the truck.

Whilst the invention is not confined to any particular construction or,dimensions of the parts, provided they. are suitable for the purposesvindicated, it may be mentioned that the longitudinal side members I ofthe truck may be flat iron or steel bars about 24 inches long by 2%.inches deep, by inch thick, and about 12 inchesapart. The standardload-trays 2,1 supplied, with. the trucks may conveniently be of thedimensions previously stated, but as there are other sizes and types ofload-trays in common. use in factories, other types of load-engaging.link may be used to secure desired eiTects.

Dealing, now th the. modification shown, in Fig. 6, which illustratesa'hand-truck designed for use. on rougher floors or ground, andtherefore embodying. largerwheels, the construction and operation may:be generally similar to that of the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5 subjectto changes desirable for working with such larger wheels (say 6 inchesand 5 inches in diameter, instead of say 3 inches and 2 /2 inches). Thelongitudinal side members I are therefore made deeper, and the wheels 4and 6 mounted thereon upon stub axles outside the frame, and the axle20, on which the wheels I9 are mounted at the lower end of the lever 9,is extended beyond the frame as at 3| so that these wheels I9 also areoutside the members I. To keep low the effective top of the truck, thetrans! verse rollers 2 forming it are mounted some distance below thetop edges of the deeper side members I, and the sloping plate 3 asbefore leads up to the roller 2 at the rear end of the truck. In thisform cross bracing elements such as bars 32 are preferably used betweenthe. side members I. As the normal load, in the form of a filled tray,should be pulled bythe lever 9 onto the rollers 2 between side membersI, the latter are preferably spaced apart a greater distance in Fig. 6than is necessary in the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5, and the tops of thewheels (especially of the main wheels 4) may be above the effective topof the truck and even above the top edges of the side members I. Theoverallwidth of the form oftruck in Fig. 6 may be say 22 inches,compared with say an overall width of say 14 inches for Figs. 1 to 5.

Fig. 7 shows another modification, principally designed to move two ormore trays stackedon one another. For this purpose the effective top ofthe truckmust be kept very low to avoid having to exert too much effortin pulling the load onto the truck, and to avoid tilting unduly thetrays which might dislodge the upper one or ones. Consequently it isdesirable that not only should the main supporting wheels 4' andauxiliary wheels 6 be mounted on side members I by stub axles, but thatthe auxiliary wheels I9 should also be on stub axles on the extendedends'of parts I2 and I3 of the lever 9. Such an arrangement permits theside members I to be connected by a frame or base plate 34 extremely lowdown, whilst cross bracing (not shown) may be provided underneath theplate 34, and if desired at the front end of the truck (which wouldgenerally not be reached by the load).

The antifriction means forming the effective top of the truck may inthis case comprise a pair of steel or like runners 35 fixed to the toallow steering movements on the main supporting wheels 4.

To enable this form of truck to be used to support and carry loads widerthan plate 34', and more or less, to guard the wheels, the uppersurfaces of the side members I may be furnished with outwardlyprojecting flanges as 31, suit.- ably secured as by bolts 38.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 8 and .9, which illustratemeans whereby the effective length of the load engaging link can beadjusted readily, the link 22 may be generally similar to that abovedescribed except for a mid-portion, which is modified by being formed orprovided with one or more parts 39 forming a longitudinal guide slot atone side of the link to engage the pivot pin. The guide slot andaplurality of pivot pin receiving holes 40 through the link 22 can beseen most clearly in Fig. 9 (though in practice the holes 49 wouldprobably be further apart than shown).

The ends of the guide slot are preferably closed as shown at 39', sothat when the pivot pin is retracted from theholes 40 the link can stillbe retained in the lever 9 though free to be moved longitudinally thelength of the slot. The means illustrated for disengaging a modifiedpivot pin from any of the holes 49, whilst leaving it engaging in theguide slot formed by parts 39, comprise an extended pin 4| whichnormally passes through a hole in part I2, the slot mentioned, one ofthe holes 40 in the link 22, and preferably through a hole formedthrough the packing piece I'3 into a hole or recess in part I3. It isnormally held or pressed towards such a position by a spring 42 or theequivalent, shown mounted on the pin 4| and acting upon a cotter pin orthe like 43. The other end of spring 42 bears against an additional part44 secured, as by welding, to part I2 of lever 9. The pin 4| passesthrough a hole in part 44 and its rear end is formed with an eyedportion 45 to receive a pin 46 by which it is attached to an operatingcam 41. This cam engages the outer side of part 44, and can be operatedto withdraw the pivot pin clear of the holes 49 into the guide slotformed by the one or more parts 39, by means of a lever 48 fixed to thecam and a hand-operated link 49 pivoted to the end of lever 48. The link49 extends substantially parallel to the lever 9, to which it is movablyattached by a guide piece (not shown), and at its upper end is furnishedwith a hand grip conveniently adjacent the handle I4.

This means illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 thus provides for readyadjustment of the eifective length of the load-engaging link 22 duringoperation; e. g. if the normal movement of lever 9 be insufficient topull the load into desired substantially balanced position on the truckand to maintain it there a multiple haul can be secured, by in effectshortening the link. Thus the load may be drawn normally as far aspossible onto the truck by moving lever 9 forwardly, retained there bygripping the handle part 25 of link 22, whilst the other hand gripshandles I4 and 56, to disengage pin 4| from any of holes 49, and to pushthe lever 9 rearwardly some distance for link shortening. Then handle 59is released and pin 4| allowed to engage an appropriate different; hole46, whereupon lever 9 is again pulled for- Wards.

Figs. 10, l1, 12, 13 and 14 illustrate a more elaborate form ofload-engaging link adapted for semi-automatic adjustment of itseffective length, and for more positive locking of the hook or loadengaging means.

Fig. shows the link 22 consisting of a rectangular tubular body portion5| with a pistoltype hand grip 52 at one end, and means such as arectangular plate 53 at the other end for attachment of a detachablehook to engage the load. On the top of the body portion 5| is secured,as by welding, a rack plate 54 formed with a plurality of recesses ornotches 55 for selective engagement by one of the teeth 56, 56 (see Fig.11) of a pawl member 51. Within the body portion 5| a fiat bar or bolt58 is slidably mounted, being normally projected adjacent a hook to forma kind of bolt closing the hook after engagement with the load. Thisbolt 58 can be normally projected, as seen in Figs. 10,

13 and 14, by its own weight or with more certainty by a suitablyarranged spring, and its end 59 be bent down adjacent the grip 52 toform a trigger for retracting the bolt 58 when engaging or disengaging ahook with a load. The trigger end 59 of bolt 58 projects through asuitable slot (not shown) in the bottom of the body 5|, which lattercarries a fixed trigger-guard and stop device 6|].

Fig. 11 shows how the link 22, 5| fits between the parallel parts I2 andI3 of lever 9, being supported by a cross piece 6| fixed to parts I2 andI3 as by welding, upon which it can swing or pivot. Downward andrearward endwise motion of the link body 5| is limited by engagement oftrigger guard and stop device 60 with piece 6|; but in operationengagement of one of the teeth 56, 56 of the pawl member 51, pivoted onthe lever 9 by being non-rotatably fixed on a pin 62 passing throughboth parts I2 and I3, co-operates with cross piece 6| to form in effecta pivotal connection of the link 5| with lever 9. The pawl member 51 isloaded by a weighted handle 63 mounted on pin 62 which latter isrotatable in parts I2 and I3 by the handle through a lost-motionconnection formed by a slot 64 in the boss 65 of the handle 63 and a setscrew 66 in pin 62 engaging in said slot 64. The amount of lost motionallowed between the positions in which set screw 66 is engaged by theends of slot 64 is sufficient to allow the weighted handle 63 to beswung freely approximately without operating pin 62 and pawl 51, so thatthe weight may operate efiectively to load the pawl in either of the twoengaging positions shown in Fig. 11. As pivotal movement of lever 9 onthe truck naturally affects the position of the weighted handle 63 thelatter would probably work best if about horizontal in either directionwhen lever 9 is in the mid-position, whereas Fig. 11 shows lever 9 at ornear its most forward position. Obviously the slot 64 could be formed to'give the other result.

The weighted handle 63 would be swung over to the full line positionFig. 11 for pushing the load oif the truck, to cause the pawl tooth 56to engage one of the notches 55 (Fig. 10) in rack 54; if the load couldnot be pushed far enough by rearward operation of lever 9 the latterwould be pulled forward to cause the pawl tooth 56 to ride over the rackto operatively engage another notch upon resumed rearward operation ofthe lever 9.

When pulling a load onto the truck from the floor into desiredapproximate balancing position, the weighted handle 63 would be swungover into the broken line position on left of Fig. 11 to cause the otherpawl tooth 56' to engage the rack, and forward operation of the lever 9would keep tooth 56' in engagement in one of the notches 55; if the loadcould not then be drawn far enough onto the truck it could be preventedfrom running oil by grasping link grip 52 whilst moving lever 9rearwardly causing the pawl tooth 56' to ride over the rack to engageanother notch 55 on resumed forward pulling of the lever 9.

Thus semi-automatic adjustment of the effective length of the link 22,5| can be secured, by a weight loaded pawl double ended 51, the weightedhandle 63 being swung by hand into position to cause the appropriate endof said pawl to engage a rack on the link.

Figs. 13 and 14 are practically self-explanatory and show, enlarged, thehook end of link 5|, and how modified forms of hook can be detachablyous forms of load engaging hooks H, 12, 69 and 13 adapted for similarsecurement to a link plate Fig. 19 shows on an enlarged scale the handle28 of a load-tray 21, formed with hole 29 for engagement with a linkhook, such as hook 24 (Figs.

Figs. 20 to 22 show other forms of handle 14, 15 and 16 respectively,found on trays used in factories.

The handles '28, 14 and 15 can be readily engaged by one or other of thelink-hooks previously mentioned, but obviously the curled round, more orless cylindrical or elliptical handle 16, call for hook-like means toengage in each end of the handle 16.

Figs. 23 and 24 illustrate such means. The link shown in this casecomprises two parts 11 with inwardly bent hook-like ends 18 whichnormally spring apart, and an operating casing 19 to force themtogether, to engage in each end of handle 16. The casing 19 is slottedas shown at 80 to allow it to be slid by manual operation of a handle orgrip 8|. The device is pivoted on lever 9 by a pivot pin or bolt 23engaging parts [2 and [3.

The plan view Fig. 24 shows how the two parts 11 are spaced apartparallel adjacent the pivot pin 23 by a spacing member 82, which forconvenience in preliminarily adjusting the effective length of the linkformed by parts 11 may be welded or otherwise attached to them, theparts 11 and 82 being then formed with a plurality of holes serving thesame purpose as holes 26 in Fig. 4. As may be seen the parts 11 are bentapart at 83 to form a gradual taper engageable by the operating casing19 for the purpose above mentioned.

It may be noted that many of the main parts of the hand-truck describedwth reference to the accompanying drawings can be standardised, orstandard sizes of suitable metal can be used if necessary withadaptation by bending, drilling or tempering or the like normaloperations. The main part of the operating lever 9 for example,consisting of two parallel parts I2 and I3 spaced apart say 1 inch canaccommodate the widest forms of link described (those of Figs. and 23),packing pieces being preferably used for narrower links.

Obviously many constructional and detail changes can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention which is moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A hand truck comprising a frame, a tow bar lever pivoted to saidframe. a load engaging link, and semi-automatically operating means onsaid lever selectively engageable with spaced parts of said link, thearrangement being such that the link is in effect pivoted to said leverand the distance between its load engaging end and the lever can bevaried.

2. A hand truck comprising a frame, a tow bar lever pivoted to saidframe, a load engaging link, means on said lever selectively engageablewith spaced parts of said link, the arrangement being such that the linkis in effect pivoted to said lever and the distance between its loadengaging end and the lever can be varied, and hand operated means fordisengaging said selectively engageable means, said hand operated meansbeing operable while the tow bar lever is in use inmoving a load fromthe fioor'into the desired position on the truck or vice versa.

3. A hand truck comprising in combination a frame, an upwardly extendinglever pivoted to said frame, said lever comprising two main partsextending substantially parallel, spacing and bracing means therefor, ahandle mounted adjacent the upper end of said lever, a length adjustableload engaging link pivotally mounted between said parts, the lowerportions of said two lever parts being spread apart to form a fork ofnearly the same width as the truck frame where said lever is pivoted tosaid frame, and abutment means mounted on said fork to be engageablewith said frame limiting the extent of the pivotal movements of saidlever.

4. A hand truck for transportin load containing trays, comprising incombination two parallel side frame members spaced apart, the uppersurfaces of said members at the rear end forming a slope up from bottomto top, a transverse plate with similar slope secured to and betweensaid side members, a plurality of spaced transverse rollers mounted insaid members forming the effective top of said truck, a pair of mainsupporting wheels mounted intermediate the ends of said side members,said wheels being of such size that they maintain the intermediate partsof said members a short distance off the floor, a pair of auxiliarysupporting wheels adjacent the rear end of the truck normallymaintaining said end a shorter distance off the floor, a forked tow-barand operating lever pivoted to said members about a horizontal axisadjacent their front ends, the ends of the fork of said lever extendingbeyond said axis, a second pair of auxiliary supporting wheels mountedon said ends of the lever, and load-tray engaging means associated withsaid lever, the upper end of said lever being operable by hand to swingabout its pivot rearwardly into a position over the truck, permittingengagement of said tray engaging means with a load tray, the frontauxiliary wheels being then in their lowest position raising the frontend of the truck frame and lowering its rear end substantially intocontact with the floor, then to be swung forwardly to draw the tray ontosaid transverse rollers forming the truck top and there maintain itwhilst raising the front wheels to a position in which they keep thefront ends of the side members a short distance off the floor andabutment means limiting the extent of the rearward and forward pivotalmovement of said lever, the aforesaid arrangement of the main andauxiliary supporting wheels permitting the truck to be steered by manualoperation of the said tow-bar and operating lever whilst supported onthe main wheels only.

5. A hand truck of the character described comprising a frame having twoside members, transversely extending rollers journaled in the sidemembers and adapted to support a load carrying container, and detachabletop plates fittable between the rollers and permitting the truck tosupport loads without a container.

6. A hand truck comprising the combination of a rigid frame, rotarymeans normally supporting said frame just clear of the floor,antifriction means formin the effective top of said truck, a tow barpivoted adjacent the front end of said frame, a rigid load engaging linkconnectible with said tow bar for pivotal movement thereon, hook-likemeans at one end of said link arranged to maintain engagement with aload without jamming whilst the link moves the load in either direction,a handle at the other end of said link beyond its point of connectionwith the tow bar for engaging and disengaging load and link, parts ofsaid frame at the rear end forming a slope from top to bottom up whichthe load can be drawn onto the top of the truck and down which it can bepushed onto the floor through the intervention of said link by operating the tow bar as a lever about its pivot on the frame.

7. In a hand truck as claimed in claim 6, a frame comprisinglongitudinal side members and a transverse bar adjacent the front endforming a pivot for the tow bar and a purchase for a foot of theoperator when operatin said bar as a lever to draw a load onto thetruck.

8. In a hand truck structure, the combination of a tow bar pivotedadjacent one end of the frame about a horizontal axis and operable as alever to move a load onto and off the truck, and a rigid load engaginglink pivotally associated with said lever, and hook-like means at oneend of 'said link, the inner surface of which hooklike means enclosesmore than half a circle with a gap at the lower side thus maintainingen- 5 gagement as desired with a handle on the load when the lever isoperated in either direction.

9. In a hand truck structure, the combination of a truck frame, a towbar pivoted about a horizontal axis adjacent the front end of the 10truck frame and operable as a lever to move a load onto and off thetruck, a rigid load engaging link pivotally connectible with said lever,a hook at one end of said link, and bolt-like means mounted on said linkpreventing undesired dis- 15 engagement of said hook from said load and25 Whilst loading and unloading the truck permitting variation of thepivotal point of said link and thus providing for multiple hauls andpushes respectively on the load.

GUY SLINGSBY. S0

